Saint Patrick:

Feast day : 17 March

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Patrick, Apostle and patron saint of Ireland. He lived during the fifth century and was the first bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. He was instrumental in bringing Christianity to Ireland and converting the then pagan nation to Christianity. He is believed to have died at Down in Ulster. His sacred remains were discovered in a church in 1185. He is honoured with the title ‘Apostle of Ireland’ and is also one of the three patron saints of Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on March 17, the day he is believed to have died.

Early life:

Saint Patrick was born towards the end of the fourth century in a village in Roman Britain to Calphurnius and Conchessa. At the age of sixteen, his father’s estate was attacked by barbarians and he was taken captive along-with the slaves of his father. The barbarians took him to Ireland where he served for six years, keeping herds of cattle on mountains, labouring in harsh conditions. He learnt the Irish language and became familiar with their traditions and way of life. During these six years, he suffered greatly but God chose this time of exile to prepare his soul for his great mission. Amidst his intense sufferings, Saint Patrick began to seek God with his whole heart and soul and spent all his efforts in pleasing God through his fervent prayers and mortifications. Often he prayed during the day and all through the night too.

Soon, through a dream, God spoke to Saint Patrick and asked him to return back to his country by a ship that was awaiting him at the shores. He woke up and escaped from his captors, travelling 200 miles to find a ship waiting at the shore and all ready to set sail. Initially the crew did not admit him but later they relented and he boarded the ship back to his home in Britain. After three days, they landed somewhere in Northern Scotland and the entire crew wandered for twenty eight days in the desert, lacking food and essential supplies. When they were almost on the verge of giving up, Saint Patrick asked them to pray to the Lord with their whole heart. They obeyed him and on the very same day they came across a herd of wild boars. From then on, they lacked no supplies and soon they arrived at an inhabited village. When he finally reached his parents home, he began to receive again visions in which he felt God was calling him for the conversion of Ireland. In the meantime he was ordained priest and bishop in his own home country. As he prepared for his God given mission, he faced several oppositions but God comforted him again through visions and strengthened him to undertake the real mission of his life.

Conversion of Ireland:

Saint Patrick began his mission in Ireland with a firm determination to suffer for Christ and if it be His will to even die for the glory of His name. He travelled throughout Ireland, preaching the Gospel and reaching even into the most remote parts of the countryside. He converted several barbarians to the faith and laboured tirelessly for their souls. He distributed alms generously among the pagans and the Christians. He educated many in achieving perfection and trained several young children to serve at the altar. His labours brought salvation to thousands, converting almost the whole of Ireland to Christianity. His efforts earned him enemies too. Nevertheless, he was undeterred in his mission.

He established his metropolitan see at Armagh. He founded a monastery at Armagh and later two more called Domnach- Padraig and Sahhal Padraig. He ordained priests to lead the new Christian communities. He converted wealthy women, some of whom became nuns in the face of family opposition. He filled the country with churches and schools for imparting education. Several miracles of healings and raising the dead have been attributed to his intercession. According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a three leaf plant to teach the pagans about the Holy Trinity. Hence he is often depicted in art holding a shamrock leaf. According to another legend, he is also believed to have banished snakes from Ireland.

Death & Sainthood:

He is believed to have died at Down in Ulster. His sacred remains were discovered in a church in 1185. He is honoured with the title ‘Apostle of Ireland’ and is also one of the three patron saints of Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on March 17, the day he is believed to have died.